2 - Assistance and Conflict: The African Diaspora and Africa’s Development in the Twenty-first Century
Corresponding Author(s) : Edward O. Erhagbe
Africa Development,
Vol. 32 No. 2 (2007): Africa Development
Abstract
Africans in the diaspora contributed laudably to the socio-political liberation of Africa, especially in the southern Africa sub-region. A discernable feature of their involvement in Africa’s political liberation efforts was that they tended to work within the boundaries of ‘the agreed agenda’ of African peoples and governments. With the liberation of South Africa, there has now been an obvious shift in the main agenda of ‘African Liberation’. The emphasis now seems to be on democratisation and the socioeconomic development of Africa. However, the differences of opinion and the conflictive nature of the new programmes of focus require some pertinent questions, in order to chart a realistic, workable and less confrontational agenda and modus operandi for diaspora and continental African co-operation in the years ahead. Among other things, this paper sets in a clear historical perspective the varied ways Africans in the diaspora contributed to Africa before now. It also highlights the shift from the ‘political liberation theology’ to ‘developmental theology’. Considering the rather sensitive and complex issues of national sovereignty, integrity and interventionism, the paper explores whether there is still a basis for diaspora Africans continuing their ‘interference’ in African internal business; who should set the agenda for their involvement; and how should they be involved. A fundamental conclusion of the paper is that the cooperation of diaspora and continental Africans is important in fostering Africa’s development. Nevertheless, such a cooperation should respect the national sovereignty and integrity of African nations and peoples. Consultation and cooperation, rather than antagonism or confrontation between the two groups, stand as the viable and workable option.
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- Asante, Samuel K.B., 1977, Pan-African Protest: West Africa and the Italo– Ethiopian Crisis, 1934–1941, London: Longman.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1992a, ‘African-American Ideas and Contribution to Africa 1900– 1985: From Idealistic Rhetoric to Realistic Pragmatism?’, Boston: Boston University: PhD.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1992b, ‘The American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa: A New African-American Voice for Africa in the United States, 1962–1970’, Boston: Boston University.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1994, ‘Pragmatic Pan-Africanism: African-American Responses to the Challenges of the Sahelian Drought, 1972–1974’, Nigerian Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 20, No 1.16-29.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1995, ‘The Congressional Black Caucus and United States Policy Toward Africa, 1971–1990’, Trans-African Journal of History, 24: 84-96.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1996a, ‘African-Americans and the Defense of African States Against European Imperial Conquest: Booker T. Washington’s Diplomatic Efforts to Guarantee Liberia’s Independence, 1907–1911’, African Studies Review, 39: 55-65.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1996b, ‘Back-To-Africa Movement: Martin R. Delany as an Advocate of African-American Emigration in the Nineteenth Century’, The Nigerian Journal of Humanities: 14-34.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1997, ‘The American Colonization Society as an Agency for Fostering Pan-African Sentiments Among African Americans before 1900’, Benin Journal of Historical Studies: 66-73.
- Erhagbe, Edward, 1999, ‘The African-American Contribution to the Liberation Struggle in Africa: The Case of the African Liberation Support Committee, 1972–1979’, Trans-African Journal of History, 29.
- Esedebe, Olisanwuche, 1982, Pan-Africanism: The Idea and the Movement 1776– 1963, Washington DC: Howard University Press.
- Geiss, Immanuel, 1974, The Pan-African Movement: A History of Pan Africanism in America, Europe and Africa, translated by Ann Keep, New York: African Publishing Co.
- Harlan, Louis, 1996, ‘Booker T. Washington and the White Man’s Burden’, American Historical Review, 61: 441-467.
- Harris, Brice, 1964, The United States and the Italo-Ethiopian Crisis, Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press.
- Jacobs, Sylvia, 1981, The African Nexus: Black American Perspectives on the European Partitioning of Africa, 1880–1920, Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
- Johnson, Willard, 1983, ‘Afro-American and African links: Cooperation for Our Long-Term economic Empowerment’, Trans-African Forum: A Quarterly Journal of Opinion on Africa and the Caribbean, 1, No. 4: 81-92.
- Langley, Ayodele, 1973, Pan Africanism and Nationalism in West Africa 1900– 1954: A Study in Ideology and Social Classes, Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- Legum, Colin, 1965, Pan-Africanism: A short Political Guide, New York: Frederick A. Praeger.
- McStallworth, Paul, 1954, ‘The United States and the Congo Question, 1884– 1914’, Ohio: Ohio State University, PhD.
- Ottley, Roy, 1943, New World a Coming: Inside Black America, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Padmore, George, 1956, Pan-Africanism or Communism? The Coming Struggle for Africa, London: D. Dobson.
- Ross, Rodney Anson, 1975, ‘Black Americans and Haiti, Liberia, The Virgin Islands, and Ethiopia’, Illinois: University of Chicago, PhD.
- Vincent, Theodore, 1973, Black Power and the Garvey Movement, San Francisco, California: Ramparts Press.
- Weisbord, Robert, 1973, Ebony Kinship: Africa, Africans and the Afro-American,Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
References
Asante, Samuel K.B., 1977, Pan-African Protest: West Africa and the Italo– Ethiopian Crisis, 1934–1941, London: Longman.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1992a, ‘African-American Ideas and Contribution to Africa 1900– 1985: From Idealistic Rhetoric to Realistic Pragmatism?’, Boston: Boston University: PhD.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1992b, ‘The American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa: A New African-American Voice for Africa in the United States, 1962–1970’, Boston: Boston University.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1994, ‘Pragmatic Pan-Africanism: African-American Responses to the Challenges of the Sahelian Drought, 1972–1974’, Nigerian Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 20, No 1.16-29.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1995, ‘The Congressional Black Caucus and United States Policy Toward Africa, 1971–1990’, Trans-African Journal of History, 24: 84-96.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1996a, ‘African-Americans and the Defense of African States Against European Imperial Conquest: Booker T. Washington’s Diplomatic Efforts to Guarantee Liberia’s Independence, 1907–1911’, African Studies Review, 39: 55-65.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1996b, ‘Back-To-Africa Movement: Martin R. Delany as an Advocate of African-American Emigration in the Nineteenth Century’, The Nigerian Journal of Humanities: 14-34.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1997, ‘The American Colonization Society as an Agency for Fostering Pan-African Sentiments Among African Americans before 1900’, Benin Journal of Historical Studies: 66-73.
Erhagbe, Edward, 1999, ‘The African-American Contribution to the Liberation Struggle in Africa: The Case of the African Liberation Support Committee, 1972–1979’, Trans-African Journal of History, 29.
Esedebe, Olisanwuche, 1982, Pan-Africanism: The Idea and the Movement 1776– 1963, Washington DC: Howard University Press.
Geiss, Immanuel, 1974, The Pan-African Movement: A History of Pan Africanism in America, Europe and Africa, translated by Ann Keep, New York: African Publishing Co.
Harlan, Louis, 1996, ‘Booker T. Washington and the White Man’s Burden’, American Historical Review, 61: 441-467.
Harris, Brice, 1964, The United States and the Italo-Ethiopian Crisis, Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press.
Jacobs, Sylvia, 1981, The African Nexus: Black American Perspectives on the European Partitioning of Africa, 1880–1920, Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Johnson, Willard, 1983, ‘Afro-American and African links: Cooperation for Our Long-Term economic Empowerment’, Trans-African Forum: A Quarterly Journal of Opinion on Africa and the Caribbean, 1, No. 4: 81-92.
Langley, Ayodele, 1973, Pan Africanism and Nationalism in West Africa 1900– 1954: A Study in Ideology and Social Classes, Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Legum, Colin, 1965, Pan-Africanism: A short Political Guide, New York: Frederick A. Praeger.
McStallworth, Paul, 1954, ‘The United States and the Congo Question, 1884– 1914’, Ohio: Ohio State University, PhD.
Ottley, Roy, 1943, New World a Coming: Inside Black America, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Padmore, George, 1956, Pan-Africanism or Communism? The Coming Struggle for Africa, London: D. Dobson.
Ross, Rodney Anson, 1975, ‘Black Americans and Haiti, Liberia, The Virgin Islands, and Ethiopia’, Illinois: University of Chicago, PhD.
Vincent, Theodore, 1973, Black Power and the Garvey Movement, San Francisco, California: Ramparts Press.
Weisbord, Robert, 1973, Ebony Kinship: Africa, Africans and the Afro-American,Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.